TRIALS OF RUMPOLE

The second Rumpole collection, published in 1979, gives listeners a chance to catch up on the doings at 3 Equity Court. The Erskine-Browns are just beginning their troubled marriage, and Guthrie Featherstone seeks the judgeship that will give Horace Rumpole grief in later installments. The last story, "Rumpole and the Age of Retirement," sounds deceptively like a finale to Rumpole's career, but it's no secret that his saga continues. Bill Wallis works too hard to sound like Leo McKern, the late actor identified with Rumpole, but his portrayal gains strength with familiarity. His handling of dialogue, particularly Rumpole's parrying with a client in "Rumpole and the Showfolk," is deft. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]